Rob Portman: “Americans across the country have identified crime as a critical issue for Congress to address. They expect…”

“Americans across the country have identified crime as a critical issue for Congress to address. They expect comprehensive legislation to strengthen our criminal justice system. I must reluctantly oppose the so-called anticrime package before us today because it falls short of the American people's legitimate expectations. Not only does it not help us combat the serious problem of crime in this country, I believe it may set back these efforts. And when they see what's in the bill, I don't think that our constituents back home will be fooled by its title. People are looking for serious legislation that really addresses the level of violence in this country, not half measures that only add to the difficulty of enforcing existing laws. The crime problem Congress tried to address is in large measure the lack of deterrent or adequate punishment in the current system. Most offenders who have been convicted of a violent crime whip through the revolving door of justice and are back out on the streets in no time at all. On average, violent criminals in State prisons now serve only 37 percent of their actual sentences, and 40 percent of all violent offenders are given probationary sentences that do not require any prison time at all. This isn't deterrence. Criminals need to know that when they are sentenced they will serve time.”